Recording gurus, please shed some knowledge on my troubles!!

Jonny123 · Unread post by **Jonny123** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:01 pm

Ok guys, I really need some advice on how to correct this problem...

The problem: I am attempting to record an acoustic guitar piece on to my PC. I am recording using a Shure SM57 mic, and using an XLR-1/8" chord to plug directly into my computers sound card (a decent Soundblaster Live card) via Soundforge 6. The trouble I'm running into is that the mic input is EXTREMELY low - almost to the point of unusable. It's recording silence at about -65db, and my audio peaks at like -33db (and that's WITH the windows +20db mic boost, playing 6" from the mic as loud as possible):shock:. When I record through this setup, I am forced to use soundforge's volume boost - a boost of like 700% finally gets it up to a decent audible level, but it sounds awful then. :roll:

Solutions???
So, after much internet searching, I think I've found two solutions to this problem.

1. A mic preamp
or
2. Recording to a mini disc, then recording the audio from the mini disc directly into my computer.

Questions:
- Out of these options, which do you guys think is best??
- As far as preamps go, I know nothing. I assume I plug my shure directly into the preamp, from which I can then adjust the gain, bringing the input up to snuff. And does the preamp just plug into my soundcard then?? What kind of connection does it use?
- The mini disc option; have you guys heard of this? I guess recording into a mini disc player the gain is higher??

I greatly appreciate any help with this... it's very important to me, seeing as my recording is going to be used (hopefully) in my senior college project. :cry:

Thank you in advance,
Jonny

Beauford33 · Unread post by **Beauford33** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:17 pm

there is a lot of equipement envolved that, well what the hell is it? lol, the only thing I heard was PC, but everyone knows that is Personal Copyer. Why are you recording to your copyer? lol

isaac · Unread post by **isaac** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:21 pm

I assume you've tried adjusting the volume in your Recording Properties in Windows.

I never plug directly into sound cards...the pres in them are pretty bad unless you have a decent one. i'd definitely recommend getting a mic pre-amp. it'll help with both the sound and you'll be able to adjust the gain to your liking. they're easy to use.

as far as pre-amps go, i'd recommend an M-Audio DMP3. should go for about 100-120 and it's the most popular "budget" pre-amp out there. if you're looking for a cheaper solution, what i currently am using is a Behringer Eurorack UB802 mixer. the pres on it do a decent enough job, and it's only $50 off Ebay. it's suited me well for live situations, too, since it's small enough to lug around.

i've heard of the mini-disc option but you're not going to get the best out of your sm57 and the gain levels that you want. hope that helps. good luck.

Beauford33 · Unread post by **Beauford33** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:24 pm

what the fuck does this all mean?

Jonny123 · Unread post by **Jonny123** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:29 pm

isaac wrote:I assume you've tried adjusting the volume in your Recording Properties in Windows.

I never plug directly into sound cards...the pres in them are pretty bad unless you have a decent one. i'd definitely recommend getting a mic pre-amp. it'll help with both the sound and you'll be able to adjust the gain to your liking. they're easy to use.

as far as pre-amps go, i'd recommend an M-Audio DMP3. should go for about 100-120 and it's the most popular "budget" pre-amp out there. if you're looking for a cheaper solution, what i currently am using is a Behringer Eurorack UB802 mixer. the pres on it do a decent enough job, and it's only $50 off Ebay. it's suited me well for live situations, too, since it's small enough to lug around.

i've heard of the mini-disc option but you're not going to get the best out of your sm57 and the gain levels that you want. hope that helps. good luck.

Isaac, thank you for the quick reply!!

And yes, I know all about the recording properties settings in windows - I've messed with them, but they give me no help. They are maximized and the +20db windows mic boost is checked... still a low gain though.

Thanks for the preamp suggestions as well! I'll look into them... the $50 may suit me fine in this case. If I did purchase a preamp, would I then connect it to my soundcard?? Is this possible? If so, what type of connection does it use... 1/8"?

Again, thanks!

P.s. Beauford... :?:

read man, read...

Beauford33 · Unread post by **Beauford33** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:39 pm

look at the avatar, look at it. Explains me very well. I read and re read. I am just guitar technology savvy. I dont get it. technology is a really big word

isaac · Unread post by **isaac** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:39 pm

If you're going with the $50 mixer/pre-amp I can help you out with it if you PM me, but it uses a 1/4" output and takes XLR and 1/4" input and has phantom power in case you need it, but with an SM57 you don't.

It would still be possible if all you have is a 1/8" input, you'd just need a convertor which you could get at RadioShack.

Jonny123 · Unread post by **Jonny123** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:49 pm

isaac wrote:If you're going with the $50 mixer/pre-amp I can help you out with it if you PM me, but it uses a 1/4" output and takes XLR and 1/4" input and has phantom power in case you need it, but with an SM57 you don't.

It would still be possible if all you have is a 1/8" input, you'd just need a convertor which you could get at RadioShack.

PM'ed ya brother! And Beauford - it's all cool, although I may not understand what the hell you are talking about (

), I too am a C&H fan. :lol:

Beauford33 · Unread post by **Beauford33** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:50 pm

who isnt a Calvin and Hobbes fan?

Jonny123 · Unread post by **Jonny123** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:52 pm

Beauford33 wrote:who isnt a Calvin and Hobbes fan?

ahh, touché...good point. :lol:

Beauford33 · Unread post by **Beauford33** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:52 pm

I just got that, fucker. :lol:

ElGuitarrista · Unread post by **ElGuitarrista** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:17 am

I've recorded with an SM57... I use an M-Audio Mobile Pre ($125-$150) to get the mic signal into my laptop... no problems getting a high enough level.

charliemike · Unread post by **charliemike** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 8:19 pm

Try reinstalling your sound card drivers. I had the same problem. Reinstalled them and now it works.

Worth a shot.

Jonny123 · Unread post by **Jonny123** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 2:33 am

charliemike wrote:Try reinstalling your sound card drivers. I had the same problem. Reinstalled them and now it works.

Worth a shot.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a go. :wink:

Since this did put me in a bit of a jam, I did have to do some quick deciding last night - I ended up purchasing the M-Audio Audio Buddy 2-mic preamp. From the bunch of user reviews I read, it's apparently a great, cost effective preamp if all you are looking for is gain. And that's me.

Hope it works well!!

Thanks for the help and suggestions fellas. :!:

DMBTabs.com

Recording gurus, please shed some knowledge on my troubles!!

Recording gurus, please shed some knowledge on my troubles!!

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